Fragmented powers in Belgium leads to unequal access to vaccines, denounces health insurer
A Belgian health insurer reports that fragmented regional powers are causing significant disparities in vaccination rates across Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia. The report calls for better cooperation, unified national targets, and a centralized vaccination registry to improve public health outcomes.
Why it matters
It highlights how administrative decentralization can negatively impact public health efficiency and equitable access to medical services.
Fragmented powers in Belgium leads to unequal access to vaccines, denounces health insurer
An analysis of members indicates that in Flanders, 58.5 per cent of those aged 65 and over have been vaccinated against influenza, compared to 43.3 per cent in Brussels and 44.7 per cent in Wallonia. According to figures from Sciensano, influenza vaccination rates are increasing across Belgium, except in the Walloon region. The vaccination rate for pneumococci also remains low: in 2023-2024, only 14 per cent of the at-risk population (those aged 65 and over and those aged 45 and over with a chronic illness) had been vaccinated.
The vaccination policy is fragmented due to the division of responsibilities between the federal level — which handles reimbursement for specific target groups and vaccination recommendations — and the regional authorities, which are responsible for preventive health policies, awareness campaigns, and registration systems.
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